I refer to timely article by Michael Whine in last week’s Asian Voice. This should be an eye opener to our layback, easy-going, fun-loving Hindu community, especially in view of vandalisation of Shree Ram Mandir in Walsall which prompted Mr Whine to write this piece.
Such attacks have already happened in London and other cities, Wembley temple was also vandalized not long ago.The threat to minorities, attacks on their religious and cultural institutions, as well as attacks on individual is on the rise.
Jewish community learned the lesson after suffering terrible atrocities during WW2 when twenty millions Jews, men, women and children were massacred; Europe was nearly ethnically cleansed by Nazis under mad fanatic Adolf Hitler.
Jewish community takes such threats seriously indeed and have taken steps to minimize such attacks. They have trained their youngsters, employed ex-service men to form a roving, active brigade who is able and willing to protect community.
Above all, Jewish community is active in politics, with more Jewish Councillors, MPs and Lords than rest of the ethnic minorities put-together!
Hindu community should follow into the foot-steps of Jewish community, install close circuit TV, train their youngsters to protect our religious and cultural establishments and above all learn and seek help from Jewish community who are eager and willing to help Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and other ethnic minorities under threat.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews have already established close relations with Hindu Forum of Britain, various Hindu Councils, Temples as well as Sikh, Jain and Bahai organizations and other minorities who may face similar threats in this fast changing world.
They have also established close, working relations with police and various Christian organizations, churches and influential bodies, as they rightly believe that “Together we are safer” as tiny Jewish community needs support and understanding from other ethnic minorities who face similar threats from extremists.
While there is excellent understanding and cooperation between Jewish and Indian community at the top, it badly lacks such cooperation at grassroots level which is indeed a must to cement our bonds and integrate two communities for common good!
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
By email
